Military Escalation Against Iran: Misbar Tracks U.S. Electronic Warfare Aircraft

Amid U.S. threats of a potential military strike against Iran, and as the U.S. military has stepped up airlift activity in the region in recent days, the EA-37B Compass Call II electronic warfare aircraft made a notable deployment to Europe on Sunday.

The aircraft operates as a wide-area airborne electronic attack platform, built on a modified Gulfstream G550 airframe. Its mission focuses on degrading or disrupting adversary communications, information-processing systems, navigation, radar capabilities, and radio-controlled threats, in support of U.S. and allied military operations.

Using flight-tracking data, Misbar’s team at Al Araby Television traced the aircraft’s most recent route and reviewed its previous flights to identify recurring deployment patterns. The analysis seeks to determine whether the movement reflects a routine repositioning or signals potential escalation linked to possible military action against Iran.

EA-37B Electronic Warfare Aircraft Heads to Europe

On January 25, 2026, open-flight tracking data revealed the U.S. EA-37B Compass Call II electronic warfare aircraft (registration 17-5579) on a transatlantic flight to Europe. FlightRadar records showed it departing from Bermuda and landing at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, covering approximately 6,127 kilometers in about 7 hours and 17 minutes. This marks the aircraft’s first recorded appearance in Europe since it became operational in May of last year.

Data indicates the aircraft arrived in Bermuda on January 24 from Tucson, Arizona. Tucson is home to Davis-Monthan Air Base, where the U.S. Air Force’s 55th Electronic Combat Group is stationed—the unit responsible for operating and overseeing the EA-37B. This suggests the flight originated from the aircraft’s primary operating base, directly linked to its program.

The movements come amid heightened U.S. activity in Europe and the Middle East. Misbar also tracked four Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft arriving at Morón Air Base in southern Spain, a critical logistical hub for U.S. operations. The base supports aerial refueling and long-range strike capabilities, making it a key element in any military operation or troop repositioning.

12-Day War on Iran

On June 13, 2025, aircraft 17-5579 was tracked over the Pacific Ocean on a westbound route, passing Honolulu toward an unknown destination. The timing coincided with the launch of the first wave of strikes in the June 2025 war on Iran.

On June 24, 2025, the aircraft reappeared, approaching Honolulu from the west, suggesting a return or repositioning across the Pacific following days of escalation. Analysts noted that this movement coincided with reports indicating the conflict was entering a phase of de-escalation and an impending ceasefire.

Pearl Harbor–Hickam Air Base, Honolulu

Pearl Harbor–Hickam Joint Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, played a crucial logistical role in the U.S. “Midnight Hammer” operation against Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21–22, 2025.

Two days before the strike, on June 19, six KC-46A Pegasus refueling aircraft moved west from bases in California and Oklahoma to Honolulu and to Travis Air Force Base in California as part of preparations for an operation reportedly involving 125 military aircraft.

Honolulu also served as a key element in a complex strategic deception. One or more B-2 Spirit bombers flew west over the Pacific with a fleet of tankers, creating the impression among observers that the strike would launch from the Pacific. Meanwhile, the actual strike force—seven B-2 bombers—headed east across the Atlantic toward Iran.

One B-2 involved in the deception was forced to make an emergency landing in Honolulu and remained grounded for several days due to a technical malfunction. This dual role—as both a genuine logistical hub and a center for strategic deception—underscores Honolulu’s geostrategic importance. The base serves as a gateway to the Pacific and a vital transit point for any large-scale U.S. military operation extending from North America to Asia or the Middle East. It offers 250 million gallons of fuel storage and maintenance facilities capable of supporting the most advanced military aircraft.

Capabilities of the U.S. Electronic Warfare Aircraft

Notably, the EA-37B entered service roughly a month before the U.S. strike. On May 2, 2025, the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron conducted the aircraft’s first training sortie, followed by an official announcement on May 12. The move marked a transitional phase, signaling the platform’s entry into operational status and mission training within the Compass Call fleet.

In any potential strike on Iran, the EA-37B stands out as a wide-area electromagnetic attack platform designed to disrupt an adversary’s electronic environment. It can degrade or disable communications, information-processing systems, navigation, radars, and radio-controlled weapons, supporting strike aircraft operating against complex air defense networks.

Operational estimates indicate the aircraft can affect ground targets—such as communications systems or radars—from up to 250 nautical miles. Against aerial targets in air-to-air mode, its range may extend to roughly 400 miles when engaging a fighter aircraft. These capabilities allow the platform to strike targets inside Iran from outside its borders.

Key Points

• Misbar tracked the first appearance of the EA-37B as it headed to Europe on January 25, 2026, via a transatlantic route.
• Navigation records showed the aircraft arrived in Bermuda from Tucson, suggesting it departed from a military hub tied to its operation.
• Analysis of its flight history indicated the aircraft moved toward an unknown destination at the start of the June 2025 escalation against Iran, before returning to Honolulu days after the strikes.
• Since entering operational and training status in May 2025, the EA-37B has demonstrated its value in disrupting communications and radar systems at ranges extending beyond Iran’s borders.

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